CALGARY, Alta. – There are four Canadian Junior Hockey League players that have been invited to attend the 2019 NHL Scouting Combine in Buffalo, N.Y., which officially begins Monday.
Among the 104 participants selected to attend are forwards Alex Newhook and Alexander Campbell of the Victoria Grizzlies (BCHL) and Harrison Blaisdell of the Chilliwack Chiefs (BCHL) along with defenceman Layton Ahac of the BCHL and Doyle Cup champion Prince George Spruce Kings.
The foursome were the top four ranked CJHL prospects listed by NHL Central Scouting in the final NHL Draft rankings for the June 21-22 event in Vancouver, B.C.
Newhook was slotted as potential first round selection, 13th overall, among North American skaters while the other three were ranked as possible second round picks.
There will be 56 forwards, 38 defencemen and 10 goaltenders attending the combine with all of them listed on NHL Central Scouting’s final rankings among North American and International skaters and netminders.
NHL clubs can have one-on-one interviews with the prospects, Monday through Friday, in Buffalo.
Medical examinations will take place Wednesday while seven of the 11 fitness tests are taking place Saturday. Those seven tests scheduled for today include: standing height; wingspan; standing long jump; bench press; pro agility test; pull ups and Wingate Cycle Ergometer test.
There is a total of 24 CJHL skaters and goaltenders named to that final list by Central Scouting.
The CJHL player drafted the highest will earn the John Grisdale Top Prospect Award, which is presented annually to the first CJHL player taken in each year’s NHL Draft and is named in honour is named after the former longtime BCHL commissioner and CJHL Life Member.
The inaugural recipient of this honour was Jacob Bernard-Docker of the Okotoks Oilers (AJHL) after he was taken in the first round, 26th overall, by the Ottawa Senators, during the 2018 NHL Draft in Dallas.
CJHL players invited to NHL Scouting Combine in Buffalo, N.Y.:
PLAYER | POS. | TEAM | LEAGUE | ROUND RANK | OVERALL RANKING |
Alex Newhook | C | Victoria Grizzlies | BCHL | 1st | 13th |
Alexander Campbell | LW | Victoria Grizzlies | BCHL | 2nd | 43rd |
Layton Ahac | D | Prince George Spruce Kings | BCHL | 2nd | 62nd |
Harrison Blaisdell | C | Chilliwack Chiefs | BCHL | 2nd | 80th |